MORE than £1,000 has been raised for a Kenyan orphanage in memory of soldier Jack Mitchell – surpassing the target in less than a week.

The SNJ set up the fundraising campaign alongside Jack’s family last Wednesday, and the £1,000 goal was reached on Monday thanks to donations from the public and visitors to pubs the Bowbridge Arms and Clothiers Arms.

Jack, who died last month after an alleged attack at the Warehouse nightclub in Stroud, became passionate about the orphanage while in Kenya with the army.

As of today, £1,107 has been raised with £557 combined contributed by the two Stroud pubs run by Harry Counsell, who re-opened the Bowbridge last year and has been in charge at the Clothiers for 16 years.

Jack, 24, and his dad Julian were regulars at the Clothiers and enjoyed a meal at the Bowbridge in January to celebrate his return from duty in Kenya.

Harry said: “Every pint of Tribute sold over the weekend for £3 was donated to the fund, and we had buckets on the bar in both pubs – we’re amazed how much we raised.

"We had a whip round while the rugby was on too – it’s just a small way of helping others in memory of Jack.

"It just goes to show how popular he was.

"He was well known at the Clothiers for the past five or so years and Julian has always been a big part of the scene.

"We’ll be keeping buckets on the bar for anyone who would like to donate.”

Jack’s mum Kate told the SNJ: “I am just speechless, all of us as a family are overwhelmed with how people have responded.

“It’s still very hard for us all but the support has been so helpful.

“It was a pointless death that should have been avoided but if some good can come of it then that is brilliant.”

Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JackMitchellStroud